time they came together again, we shall see in a subsequent part of the history.

The elders, or leading men, of the children of Israel being assembled. Aaron delivered unto them the message that God had given to Moses; while the latter confirmed it, in their presence, by the miracles which he had been directed to perform for that purpose.

The return of Moses, their distinguished and long-exiled countryman, under such extraordinary circumstances, with his elder brother whom they so well knew and greatly esteemed; the cheering nature of the divine communication; the majesty and truth of the I AM who had sent it; their expected deliverance from the galling yoke of oppression, and the conducting of their nation to the promised land; the amazing manifestations of divine power which they witnessed, the rod-serpent, the leprous hand, and the water turned into blood; -all conspired to produce in their breasts the deepest emotions of wonder and joy; a strong confidence in God; and an assurance that he was speedily to show them his mercy. In testimony of this, and as a solemn act of reverential gratitude, the whole assembly of elders bowed their heads and worshipped. They were now prepared to go fearlessly with Moses and Aaron; to appear before the cruel tyrant who was oppressing them; and to ask permission of him, in the name of the Lord

God of Israel, to obey the divine injunction, ane offer up their sacrifices in the wilderness. We shal: soon see what this resolute band, with their inspired leaders, and the arm of the Almighty for their faith to rely upon, were able to accomplish.

Pharaoh probably knew nothing of this portentous movement. He had, indeed, heard of Moses, and his singular history. He had been told of his living so long at the court of his predecessor, as the adopted son of the daughter of the king; of his exalted character and great influence; of his strange abandonment of his conspicuous station, and associating with his degraded countrymen; of his interposition in behalf of one of them, and of his flight from Egypt. If still living, he supposed him to be an insignificant exile in some foreign land, who would never dare again to return. Little did he think, that this outcast Israelite was so near him, coming in the strength of Omnipotence, to rescue the oppressed from his grasp, and to overwhelm him, and his host of mighty men and warriors, in utter destruction.

He sat proudly and securely on his throne, in the midst of his own loyal subjects, and the wretched bondsmen whom he and they were causing to drink deep of the cup of affliction. He had chariots, and horsemen, and a great army to move at his beck, and sustain him in his despotic rule. He swayed, as he thought, both over the Egyptians and

the Israelites, a resistless sceptre. But the time was at hand when the pride of this haughty tyrant was to be humbled, and the divine majesty and justice illustriously displayed in his downfall.

The King of kings and Lord of lords is mightier than all the potentates of the earth. He raises up and puts down whom he pleases. None can resist his power, or defeat his designs. What do you think, my young friend, of being entirely in the hands of this great and holy God, to do with you as seemeth best in his sight? How do you feel towards him in this respect? Do you bow in humble submission to his rule over you? Is it a source of comfort to you, that he reigns every where,over you, and over the whole universe of created beings? In no other state of mind can there be any true peace. To be discontented and restless, to complain and murmur against the government of God and his dealings with you, is to show yourself his enemy; and, if such a temper is cherished, you must be, at last, the object of his terrible and unchanging displeasure. "Fear him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him."

CHAPTER XI.

Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel appear before Pharaoh. He disregards their message, and oppresses the Israelites more severely.

It was not long before Moses and Aaron, with the elders of Israel, sought admittance into the presence of the king of Egypt. They succeeded in obtaining it; and it was doubtless attended with the ceremonies which were usual on such occasions. Pharaoh sat on his throne in all the pomp and splendor of royalty. His officers of state surrounded him; and an intense curiosity prevailed, to know what could be the object of the Israelites in desiring the interview.

Being permitted to disclose it, Moses and Aaron addressed the king in this unexpected language: Thus saith Jehovah, God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the. wilderness."

It was a bold and authoritative demand. They who made it knew from whom it came, and the divine commission under which they acted in presenting it. Their manner was respectful, but fearless and dignified. It must have struck the proud monarch of Egypt with great astonishment, and

roused his resentment at what he considered the presumption of those who dared to make it. They were his bondsmen; and what had they to do with this strange God of whom they spake, or with leaving the country and their labors, that they might go.afar off to worship him in the wilderness. He had not even heard of this God, the God of their nation. The awful name sounded strangely in his ears. "Who is Jehovah,” said he, "that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will I let Israel go."

The reply was simple and urgent. "The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto Jehovah our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword."

It was proper that they should seek this distant and retired place for such a purpose. The very animals which they would offer up in sacrifice were held sacred by the Egyptians; and it was not to be supposed, that they would be permitted to conduct this worship in the midst of a people whom it would so grievously offend. The command, too, came from that Being whose divine authority they acknowledged, and whose displeasure, if they failed to obey him, they had reason to dread in its most terrible forms.

They did not, indeed, unfold their great and leading object of entirely forsaking Egypt and re